At EZ Trading Computers, we tell you all the time to backup your trading computer data (Most often I say it more like this – backup, backup, backup – to emphasize how crucial it is). While I am confident you are following this advice, we often get asked why sometimes those files on backup flash drives or USB hard drives become corrupted. The number one culprit is not disconnecting the device correctly from your computer. This step, seemingly small, can completely ruin your effort of backing up all together by making the files useless.
Think about it like this: Have you ever unplugged a lamp from a light socket without turning off the lamp or, in some cases, flipping the switch? If you have, you noticed that there was a small noise or spark as you pulled the plug from the socket. There was still an electricity loop happening while you attempted to disconnect the light.
This same concept happens if you disconnect a USB data storage device from your computer without telling the computer to essentially “turn off the charge to that outlet.” By telling your computer that you would like to disconnect your device, you’re telling it to stop communicating with that USB port and discontinue any temporary file storage. Once the computer stops these two actions is when it is the only safe time to remove your device. To avoid any damage to the data stored on the USB device, this step MUST be completed.
In this video, I want to show you how to safely eject your USB hard drive flash media device or general USB device.
You might have a removable USB flash drive with a few documents, videos, or Powerpoint files that you’ve connected to your trading computer. Now, you want to eject the device from your Windows 7 (or higher) machine without any damage to the contents of the drive. This can be quite tricky because, if you’re like me, you forget where the USB eject icon is.
Eject USB Devices Safely
Here are the steps:
- Locate the icons in the lower right side of your taskbar.
- Select the USB icon by clicking the USB image.
- Click on the image to open a sub menu.
- From this menu, select eject.
- You should get a taskbar notification message that your USB device is now safe to remove from the USB port on your trading computer.
How To Eject A USB Device if Your Taskbar Doesn’t Have A USB Icon
Your USB device or icon might be located within the tool bar menu. However, if you find that the USB icon is not shown, you will need to complete a few additional steps. However, this is a one time task. In the future, you will not have to take these additional steps once you complete these steps.
This can be resolved in a few quick steps:
- Locate the icons in the lower right side of your taskbar.
- Select the up arrow to the left of the lower right icons displayed in your taskbar.
- Now, you will see an additional menu of icons in a small window.
- Select the USB icon.
- While holding down the mouse on the USB icon, drag the icon to the taskbar.
- Your USB icon is now pinned to the taskbar for quicker access.
- Now, complete the steps listed above to remove your USB device safely.
Printers and Devices Short Cut
Once you have selected the USB icon in your taskbar, you can actually open devices and printers from this same menu.
From your printer and device window, you can also safely remove the pictured devices. One of them might say “mass storage”. That’s just a generic term, but that can be your USB flash drive. Right-click on the device icon and you are able to click eject just as you would from the taskbar. You will now get a message in the taskbar that it’s safe to remove the hardware.
That’s all you need to do to safely remove your USB flash storage, hard drive, or any other USB device from your Windows computer.
There are more trading computer tips like this in our buyers guide. Check out our “How To Buy a Trading Computer” e-book.
We hope today’s Quick Tip helped you. You can always call us if you have questions: 800-387-5250
